Gift-wrap envelope for media holders

ABSTRACT

A gift envelope for packaging an information media disk holder that is formed of a decorative substrate. The envelope is formed to be flat without overlapping corner folds that are typically found in a wrapped package when the package is empty. The gift-wrap envelope may also be used as a mailer.

FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0001] The invention provides an envelope for encasing information storage media packages such as compact disk holders. The envelope provides at first, a two-dimensional configuration, which may be erected into a three-dimensional configuration that accommodates the entire length, height and width of an appropriately sized package, however it is folded flat when not in use. The envelope can additionally be formed of a substrate that provides a decorative appearance, thus rendering it suitable for use as a pre-made gift-wrap for media holders. The envelope may also be used as a mailer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention provides a flat envelope that can be erected to a three-dimensional envelope, and this structure can alternately or simultaneously provide gift-wrap and packaging for an information media storage disk holder. While pre-formed gift wrapping has been previously identified as a desirable article for other types of packaging, an envelope such as is herein described and claimed has not previously been conceived.

[0003] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,435,645 discloses an instant gift package which is a gift box formed of separate parts, each part covered with a decorative overlay to permit separation without disturbance of the overlay. The overlay is made up of specially folded and overlying portions to give the appearance of a unitarily wrapped package. The wrapping can be a decorative paper, and it is shaped to provide several overfolded and overlapping areas at the end of the box to give the appearance of a conventionally wrapped package. U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,403 describes a preformed gift-wrap sheet for wrapping a rectangular gift box. The gift-wrap sheet is formed as a generally rectangular sheet divided by fold lines into three generally rectangular panels. Extending from each side of the middle second panel is a generally trapezoidal middle flap, while extending from each side of the side flaps is a side flap. Each of the side panels also has two corner flaps extending therefrom such that each of a first pair of corner flaps is positioned against the first (side) panel and each of a second pair of corner flaps is positioned adjacent to the third (side) panel. The middle flap, side flaps and corner flaps are folded over each other at the end of the box to cover the ends of the box. Neither of the foregoing references teaches or suggests the claimed invention, which is hereinafter described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention provides pre-formed envelopes for information media disk holders that may be formed flat and later erected into a three-dimensional structure. The envelope includes a pocket into which a media disk holder may be inserted and the wrapping completed by sealing the closure flap. Preferably, the envelope is made of a substrate selected from paper, lightweight paperboard, foil/paper laminates or foldable plastic materials. In certain preferred embodiments, decoratively printed papers, laminates, plastics or paperboards may be used to provide an envelope that functions as a preformed gift-wrap for media disk holders.

[0005] In one aspect, therefore, the invention comprises an envelope for media disk holders comprising a face panel, a rear panel, a pair of opposed side flaps, a bottom flap and a closure flap, each having an interior and an exterior side; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines forming a first folded side panel between the face panel and the closure flap; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines forming a second folded side panel between the face panel and the bottom flap; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines forming a third folded side panel between the face panel and the first of the opposed side flaps; and a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines forming a fourth folded side panel between the face panel and the remaining opposed side flap; wherein the bottom flap is folded such that its interior side is positioned adjacent to the interior side of the face panel, and a portion of the interior side of each of the opposed side flaps is affixed to the exterior side of the bottom flap to form a pocket for insertion of a disk media holder; and wherein each trio of parallel, spaced fold lines forming the respective first, second, third and fourth folded side panels is composed of two outermost fold lines and a center fold line, each of said first, second, third and fourth folded side panels being collapsible about its respective center fold line when the envelope is in a two-dimensional configuration, and each of said first, second, third and fourth folded side panels being erected about its respective center fold line to conform the envelope to a three-dimensional configuration when a disk media holder is inserted into the pocket; each of the folded side panels being positioned at right angles to and abutting each of the two adjacent folded side panels, each adjacent pair of folded side panels abutting to form a defined opening at each corner of the envelope when it is in a two-dimensional configuration, each said defined opening being minimized when the envelope is erected into a three-dimensional configuration. As used herein, the term “minimized” means that the edges of the defined opening are pulled together to narrow the opening as much as possible, thereby concealing the contents of the envelope. In this respect, when the envelope is erected and a media disk holder is inserted into the pocket, either end of each folded side panel is positioned at an angle in relation to an end of adjacent side panel without any overlap between said adjacent folded side panels. Preferably, the folded side panels abut each other in this manner at right angles, yet there is no overlap between adjacent folded side panels. In this manner, the bulky corners that usually result from wrapping a box or other cuboid article with a sheet of paper are not formed. Elimination of the folded, bulky corners also allows a flat envelope to be formed in a machine operation that may later be erected into a three-dimensional form.

[0006] In various embodiments, the folded side panels at the side of the envelope, namely the third and fourth folded side panels as designated herein, may be folded outward from the center of the pocket when the envelope is flattened, in which case the center fold line is visible outside the perimeter provided by the edges of the face panel. Alternatively, the third and fourth folded side panels may be folded inward toward the center of the pocket, as may be done with an accordion fold, such that the center fold line of these folded side panels is hidden beneath the side edges of the envelope and do not protrude beyond the perimeter of the face panel. Either of these folds may be created in the in-line process that is desirably used for manufacturing the envelope of the invention.

[0007] In another aspect, the invention is a blank for forming an envelope for a media disk holder comprising a face panel, a rear panel, a pair of opposed side flaps, a bottom flap and a closure flap formed from a substrate; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the closure flap; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the bottom flap; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the first of the opposed side flaps; and a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the remaining opposed side flap.

[0008] In yet another aspect, the invention further comprises a method of forming an envelope for packaging media disk holders comprising the steps of cutting a blank from a substrate, scoring the blank with fold lines defining a face panel, a rear panel, a pair of opposed side flaps, a bottom flap and a closure flap, each of said face panel, rear panel, opposed side flaps, bottom flap and closure flap having an interior side and an exterior side; further scoring the blank with a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the closure flap, a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the bottom flap, a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the first of the opposed side flaps, and a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the remaining opposed side flap; folding the bottom flap upward to locate its interior side adjacent to the interior side of the face panel; and affixing a portion of the interior side of each opposed side flap to the exterior of the bottom flap.

[0009] The envelope is preferably used as a gift-wrap article, but it may also be used as a mailer, and may, if desirable be pre-printed with mailing indicia such as blank areas for addressing or placement of stamps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a plan view of an unsealed gift-wrap CD envelope according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the open gift-wrap CD envelope having a media disk holder inserted therein.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sealed CD gift-wrap envelope having a media disk holder packaged therein.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank for forming a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 5 depicts an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the third and fourth folded side panels at the sides of the envelope are accordion-folded inward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0015] While it is to be understood that the envelope of the invention may be used for mailing, packaging, promotional and informational purposes, the present disclosure is not intended to be limiting in this regard. A preferred embodiment contemplated herein is the use of the invention as a pre-formed gift-wrap envelope for media disk holders. In respect of this preferred embodiment, the decorative gift-wrap envelope of the invention may be sized to hold an information media storage disk holder of any size or shape, though square or rectangular shapes are the typical configuration for such holders. Typically, the holders may be used to house compact disk (CD) or digital video disk (DVD) products. In many cases, the holders for either type of product are of the same shape and size. Therefore, as used herein, the term “CD” is intended to refer to compact disks, DVDs, or any other information storage media in disk form that may be packaged in a box or case, e.g. a jewel case.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a preferred gift-wrap envelope of the invention comprises a face panel 1, a pair of opposed side flaps 2, 3, a bottom flap 4 and a closure flap 5 formed from a decorative material. Each of the opposed side flaps 2 and 3 is folded inward about fold lines 11 and 8, respectively to provide side seam closure of the envelope. Bottom flap 4 overlays the folded opposed side flaps 2,3 and is affixed thereto by any known means such as glue, hot melt adhesive or gum to form a pocket into which an information storage media holder may be inserted. Closure flap 5 overlays the opening of the pocket to seal the envelope. Closure flap 5 may additionally include an adhesive strip 6 that serves to affix the closure flap 5 over the exterior of the bottom flap 4. Alternatively, the exterior of flap 4 may have an adhesive strip of size and shape (not shown) corresponding to the adhesive strip 6 on closure flap 5, such that both strips cooperate adhesively to provide the closure means.

[0017] Folded side panels 19, 20, 21 and 22 form perpendicularly raised sides of the envelope when a media disk holder is inserted, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each of the folded side panels is defined by a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, fold lines 7, 8 and 9 defining folded side panel 22, which separates said face panel 1 from side flap 3. Fold lines 10, 11 and 12 separate face panel 1 define folded side panel 20, which separates the face panel 1 from the side flap 2. Fold lines 13, 14 and 15 define a folded side panel 21 that separates the face panel 1 from the closure flap 5. Similarly, fold lines 16, 17, and 18 define a folded side panel 19 that separates the face panel 1 from the bottom flap 4.

[0018] As can be seen in FIG. 2, each of the folded side panels 19, 20, 21 and 22 is characterized by a central fold line along its length that is in parallel, spaced relationship to the two outermost fold lines that define the edge of the panel. Thus, for example, folded side panel 20 is defined by outermost fold lines 10 and 12, while central fold line 11 defines a hinge which, when compressed allows the envelope to be flattened to a two-dimensional shape. Each of the central fold lines 8, 11, 13 and 17 thus forms such a hinge that allows the envelope to be compacted for shipment and storage, while also allowing each of the folded side panels to be extended upwards to form walls that accommodate the side walls of a conventional media disk holder. Although each of the folded side walls 19, 20, 21 and 22 cooperate perpendicularly to form the sides of the gift-wrap envelope, there is no overlap between them. This is in contrast to a conventional gift-wrapped cuboid article wrapped with a single sheet of gift-wrap paper, wherein wrapping the corners of the article necessitates mitering the corners of the sheet and overlapping each side edge at least partially over the other to form the mitered folds. The lack of the conventional overfolds at these intersections permits the folding and flattening of the envelope to permit in-line manufacture and other processing, which is an advantage not previously recognized. Instead, according to the invention, the ends of adjacent and perpendicularly placed folded side panels meet together but do not overlap, thus forming openings 23 at each corner of the erected envelope.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows the closed package in which closure flap 5 overfolds the bottom flap 4. The height necessary to accommodate the side walls of the compact disk holder is provided by the elevation of first folded side panel 21, second folded side panel 19, third folded side panel 20 and fourth folded side panel 22. Folded side panels 19, 20, 21 and 22 are folded inward to the center of the envelope and meet perpendicularly, however there is no overlap between them. A defined opening 23 is thus formed at each such perpendicular intersection of adjacent folded side panels.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a planar representation of a blank for forming the envelope of the invention. According to this preferred embodiment, a trio of parallel spaced fold lines 7, 8, 9 are interposed on a cut sheet to delineate a first side flap 3 from a face panel 1; a trio of parallel spaced fold lines 10, 11, 12 delineate a second side flap 2 from face panel 1. A similar trio of parallel spaced lines 7, 8, 9 separate the face panel 1 from closure flap 5, and a trio of parallel spaced lines 16, 17 and 18 separate face panel 1 from bottom flap 4. Adhesive area 6 provides a closure mechanism. The adhesive area 6 may optionally be excluded and any other known closure means provided.

[0021]FIG. 5 represents an alternative embodiment of the envelope of FIG. 1, as discussed above, in which the third and fourth folded side panels 20 and 22 are collapsed inward via an accordion fold about each of fold lines 8 and 11. In this manner, the third and fourth folded side panels 20 and 22 are folded beneath and do not protrude beyond the side edges and the pocket of the envelope. At the same time, first folded side panel 21 is collapsed along center fold line 13, and second folded side panel 19 is collapsed along center fold line 17 such that the respective folded side panels 19 and 21 are folded outward in relation to the side edges and the pocket of the envelope. Regardless of whether the orientation in this embodiment or in the previously discussed embodiment of FIG. 1 is employed, the envelope may be erected to form a three-dimensional structure. Either of these embodiments is well suited to machine forming, which is an important feature for fast manufacture of this product in large quantities in an in-line process.

[0022] The envelope of the present invention provides a packaging means for a compact disk, which, in certain embodiments, eliminates the need for separate wrapping with decorative material. It may also be printed with promotional or advertising information, or required product labeling, depending on the intended use for the media disk that is contained within the holder. The envelope, though decorative or otherwise printed, may also be formatted for use as a mailer so that the gift-wrapped media holder may be shipped without further packaging. In this latter embodiment, the substrate chosen for the envelope may be of a heavier weight paper or paperboard or a laminate. The envelope may be manufactured in a machine operation, as the overlapping corner flaps that would otherwise form bulky, three-dimensional corners are eliminated. The flat shape of the envelope also provides a more space-efficient product for stacking, shipping and storage.

[0023] It is believed that the present invention includes many other embodiments that may not be herein described in detail, but would nonetheless be appreciated by those skilled in the art from the disclosures made. Accordingly, this disclosure should not be read as being limited only to the foregoing examples or only to the designated preferred embodiments. 

I claim:
 1. An envelope for media disk holders comprising: a face panel, a rear panel, a pair of opposed side flaps, each having an interior and exterior side, a bottom flap and a closure flap formed from a substrate; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines forming a first folded side panel between the face panel and the closure flap; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines forming a second folded side panel between the face panel and the bottom flap; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines forming a third folded side panel between the face panel and the first of the opposed side flaps; and a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines forming a fourth folded side panel between the face panel and the remaining opposed side flap; wherein the bottom flap is folded such that its interior side is positioned adjacent to the interior side of the face panel, and a portion of the interior side of each of the opposed side flaps is affixed to the exterior of the bottom flap to form a pocket for insertion of the disk media holder; and wherein each trio of parallel, spaced fold lines forming the respective first, second, third and fourth folded side panels is composed of two outermost fold lines and a center fold line, each of said first, second, third and fourth folded side panels being collapsible about its respective center fold line when the envelope is in a two-dimensional configuration, and each of said first, second, third and fourth folded side panels being erected about its respective center fold line to conform the envelope to a three-dimensional configuration when a disk media holder is inserted into the pocket; each of the folded side panels being positioned at right angles to and abutting each of the two adjacent folded side panels, each adjacent pair of folded side panels abutting to form a defined opening at each corner of the envelope when it is a two-dimensional configuration, each said defined opening being minimized when the envelope is erected into a three-dimensional configuration.
 2. The envelope of claim 1 wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth folded side panels is collapsed about its respective center fold line such that it is folded outward in relation to the pocket.
 3. The envelope of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second folded side panels is collapsed about its respective center line such that it is folded outward in relation to the pocket, and each of the third and fourth folded side panels is collapsed about its respective center fold line such it is folded inward in an accordion fold in relation to the pocket.
 4. The envelope of claim 1, having a media disk holder inserted in the pocket.
 5. The envelope of claim 4 wherein the media disk holder is a jewel case.
 6. The gift-wrap envelope of claim 1 wherein the substrate is a decorative material selected from the group consisting of printed papers, paperboard, plastic and paper-foil laminate.
 7. A blank for forming a gift-wrap envelope for a media disk holder comprising: a face panel, a rear panel, a pair of opposed side flaps, a bottom flap and a closure flap formed from a substrate; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the closure flap; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the bottom flap; a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the first of the opposed side flaps; and a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the remaining opposed side flap.
 8. The blank of claim 7 wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of printed papers, paperboard, plastic and paper-foil laminate.
 9. The blank of claim 8 wherein the decorative substrate is a decorative paper-foil laminate.
 10. The blank of claim 9 wherein the substrate is a decorative printed paper.
 11. A method of forming an envelope for packaging media disk holders comprising: a) the steps of cutting a blank from a substrate; b) scoring the blank with fold lines defining a face panel, a rear panel, a pair of opposed side flaps, a bottom flap and a closure flap, each of said face panel, rear panel, opposed side flaps, bottom flap and closure flap having an interior side and an exterior side; c) further scoring the blank with a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the closure flap defining a first folded side panel, a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the bottom flap defining a second folded side panel, a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the first of the opposed side flaps defining a third folded side panel, and a trio of parallel, spaced fold lines between the face panel and the remaining opposed side flap defining a fourth folded side panel; d) folding the bottom flap upward to locate its interior side adjacent to the interior side of the face panel; and e) affixing a portion of the interior side of each opposed side flap to the exterior of the bottom flap to form a pocket.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising folding the first, second, third and fourth folded side panels outward in relation to the pocket.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising folding each of the first and second folded side panels outward in relation to the pocket, while folding each of the third and fourth folded side panels inward in relation to the pocket.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the substrate is a material selected from the group consisting of printed papers, paperboard, plastic and paper-foil laminate.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the substrate is a decorative material. 